Genesis Vayigash

Vayigash
Genesis 44:18 – 47:27

I. Summary

A. Vayigash = (Judah) “approached” (Joseph)

B. Judah pleads with Joseph (in dramatic highpoint) to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. (44:18-34)

C. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. He tells his brothers to bring Jacob to him and offers them the opportunity to settle in Goshen. Joseph embraces Benjamin and they weep (reminiscent of Jacob and Esau embracing and weeping). All brothers kiss and weep with each other (after the three times Joseph wept on his own). (45:1-15)

D. Although the famine still rages, Pharaoh invites Joseph's family to "live off the fat of the land". Per Pharoah’s orders, Joseph provides his brothers with provisions (including extra clothing for Benjamin … reminiscent of Jacob giving “coat of many colors” to favored Joseph) for the trip back to Jacob in Canaan as well as telling them “do not be anxious along the way” (significance?). Brothers arrive in Canaan and tell Jacob about Joseph. At first not believing his sons, Jacob then realizes truth and that he must go to Egypt to see Joseph before he (Jacob) dies. (45:16-28)

E. After receiving God's blessing, encouragement and promise of protection, Jacob goes to Egypt with entire family (70 persons listed specifically). Jacob sends Judah ahead to get Joseph and bring him to Goshen where Joseph finally meets Jacob. They embrace and weep (like Jacob/Esau and Joseph/Benjamin). (46:1-30)

F. Joseph advises brothers to tell Pharoah that they are breeders of livestock, i.e. shepherds even though “Egyptians find shepherds abhorrent” (to show Pharoah they are ready to perform unpopular labor with reliability and therefore be worthy being trusted with land?). Five of the brothers (which ones and why them?) tell Pharoah their entire family are shepherds. Pharaoh permits Joseph's family to settle in Goshen. Pharaoh then meets with Jacob. Jacob blesses Pharoah (significance?) and departs. Per Pharoah’s orders, Joseph provides Jacob and brothers with land in the best area of Egypt as well as food for all of Jacob’s household. (46:31-47:12)

G. With the famine increasing, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food and making them all into serfs (immorally taking advantage v. normal in context of times). Joseph establishes law that all Egyptians (except priests) must tithe one-fifth of their harvest to Pharoah. The Israelites settle in Egypt (on land given to them by Pharoah v. now landless Egyptians) and are “fruitful and multiplied greatly”. (47:13-27)

II. Commentary (Plaut, various websites and prior Hevreh discussions)

A. Evolution of Judah – Judah’s early acts were not admirable: 1. Convincing his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery. 2. Watching Jacob agonize over supposed death of Joseph. 3. Refusing to heed custom of levirate marriage by not allowing his third son to marry, Tamar, widow of his first two sons. Contrast Judah’s later plea to Joseph which was admirable - 1. Being courageous enough to approach the grand vizier of Egypt. 2. Willingness to sacrifice himself when he offers to put himself in Benjamin’s place. 3. Not wanting to see his father suffer if Judah does not return Benjamin to Jacob. 4. Expressing much love for his father. Jewish tradition accords honor to a person who commits a particular transgression but later, when he or she is put in a similar position, turns away from the same kind of wrongdoing. Judah’s recognized as "haTzaddik", "the righteous one" and is the only biblical figure referred to as such (where?). Basis for Jews being named after Judah.

B. Purpose of Joseph testing his brothers - Joseph’s incessant testing of his brothers (of their affection for each other and for their father as well as their sense of guilt about Joseph) is also a test of Joseph’s belief that he is a tool of destiny for God. Joseph story moves theme from the individual onto the nation of Israelites.

C. Joseph taking the high road when revealing himself to his brothers – Joseph does not allow himself to be dominated by feelings of bitterness about the past. Rather, he emphasizes the positive aspects of the situation, to where he is able to relate to his brothers with true warmth and respect.

D. Pharoah’s reaction to Joseph’s brothers being in Egypt – Pharoah was pleased (45:16) since brothers’ presence would make Joseph more of a regular citizen which will give him even greater motivation to be concerned for the benefit of the country and all of its inhabitants. Suggests two ideas: 1) if you identify with a place, you will devote much more time and energy thinking about the welfare of that place. 2) When a person feels that he is doing something for a cause that he is part of, he will use more of his talents, skills and energy for that cause. Contra, Ex. 1:8 “a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph”.

E. "Do not be quarrelsome along the way." – What is the meaning of Joseph’s advice to his brothers as brothers prepare to get their families and return to Egypt? At least three interpretations: 1) Joseph, understanding how guilt and denial operate, anticipated his brothers' need to blame each other, and he therefore instructs them not to engage in recriminations about the past. In effect, Joseph tells his brothers that they will never agree about the past, but they can still live in harmony despite that disagreement. 2) Joseph advises his brothers not to spend their time on the road arguing about questions of Jewish law lest they lose their way religiously as well as geographically. 3) Joseph sees that his brothers are now wealthy because of his gifts. Joseph urges his brothers not to allow money to divide them.

F. Jacob taking entire people to Egypt – Jacob took total of 70 people (all Israelites at the time!). God’s will or Jacob’s decision? God’s set-up for Israelites being enslaved by Egyptians? Necessary to get them out of Canaan where they would have been assimilated and not fulfill their destiny as God’s chosen people? Raises fundamental issue of God’s plan v. free will.

G. Joseph’s administration of food stores – Tells us of need for long-term orientation? Trading food for property of Egyptians v. giving food (and land) to Israelites = immoral inconsistency? Joseph simply protecting/reaching out to his family?

(Revised 12/24/09)